A taxonomy of conscientious objection in healthcare

Conscientious Objection (CO) has become a highly contested topic in the bioethics literature and public policy. However, when CO is discussed, it almost universally referred to as single entity. Reality reveals more nuanced picture. Healthcare professionals may object given action on numerous grounds. They oppose an because of its ends, means, or factors that lay outside both ends means. Our paper develops taxonomy CO, which makes possible describe refusals healthcare professional with greater finesse. The application this development will potentially allow for subtlety policy academic discussions – some species could be permitted while others prohibited.